Akinyele...Lessons of Love Lost
**Image by 26everything Films & Photos via https://unsplash.com*
It was a few days to the annual Lovers’ Dance.... Akinyele had promised we would go to the Village Square that evening, but he did not show up.... and he was not home.
Alabi said he saw him at dawn, that he left with a small sac... he didn’t say where he was headed, and Alabi had not asked, for he could not break his 7 days ritual of silence.
The Lovers’ dance came and passed, yet Akinyele had not returned. My friend, Abisoye feared he might be unwell, or the gods forbid, dead. She advised that I visit his Father.
So I went to Baba Agba’s compound the next morning. He welcomed me with a smile... “my Princess” he called out. We sat and talked for hours, yet he said nothing about Akinyele.
So I asked if he was too lonely without his Son and if he had received words from him. He said he got no words, but all must be well, for if it were not so, his sister would have sent words.
That moment taught me it was possible to feel different emotions, all at once.
I was relieved that Akinyele was and is in fact alive and well... but I also felt a deep sense of betrayal that my lover of 3years had left without a word...
I bade farewell to Baba Agba and left for my home. As I walked along the bush part leading to my Father’s compound, I’m reminded of the day, 3years ago, when Akinyele wooed me.
We had both been volunteering at the Palace... helping to plan the coronation ceremony for the new King. We worked side by side...for weeks... only a few words were spoken... yet he watched me...I felt it... a woman always knows
He finally asked me to be his, on the Coronation day.
I asked not for the world, but for a promise of his commitment. Akinyele said I had it already...and that it would always be mine.... well, now it seem like that promise no longer holds true.
At home, Abisoye sat waiting.... I told her of my findings. She asked if I saw this coming, I told her of the fight we had, two days before he left... we were both frustrated by the turns and twists of life... his frustration more than mine. He had on his young shoulders, the unrealistic burden our society places on maleness and manhood. He wanted to provide... he could not... I assured him we would manage... He felt he has failed... so he became mad at the world and everything that reminds him of his ’failure’
I told Abisoye that I understood him, but shutting the world out... wallowing in isolation has never lighten any burden.... and that was a skill Akinyele had perfected.... in fact he often added me to the list of those to shut out.
I told her that my mind knew that if there was no change, we were at the beginning of the end.... but my heart would not accept. I thought we could fix it...that I could fix him. I couldn’t let go.
For me, 3 years was a lot to throw away....seemed like it wasn't a lot for Akinyele.
In the ‘long’ days following Akinyele’s absence, the hardest part of every day were the questions of the Villagers who had watched us for years. They all asked of him and if he was well.... they wanted to know when we will be married...
And like the dutiful ‘maiden’ ashamed to tell them we had failed, I smiled and said he was well.... that they would all be invited once our families decide.
*To be Continued...
Tee Lee!! Just so you know, that am proud of your work. Can Akinyele respect himself and return cos the baba at the shrine is still effective. Meanwhile, the burden to succeed is heavier than fear of failure....
ReplyDeleteHmmmm.... Men.... They feel everything is on them...... Newsflash..... We have our own insecurities too.... You don't just claim you love someone and shut them out when you are going through hell and open the door when all is well. We are meant to be there for one another any day anytime. Nice one Tee.... I hope they learn it not about them alone.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm😍
ReplyDeleteAkinyele should take his time and return
ReplyDeleteHe had on his young shoulders, the unrealistic burden our society places on maleness and manhood. He wanted to provide... he could not... I assured him we would manage... He felt he has failed... so he became mad at the world and everything that reminds him of his ’failure’.....
ReplyDeleteYou write so beautiful Tee....writing so effortless and endearing
Obinna
Conclude this story asap
ReplyDeleteSpeechless
ReplyDeleteThe cutting of the head is not the solution to a headache. Akinyele should come back and work harder.
ReplyDeleteThere’s a way your stories create a picture of epic african scenes. Nice work Tee, My African super writer...Wordspainter ���� ... first of her name!
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong woth Akinyele, he should better respect himself....
ReplyDeleteWe might not know what was going through his mind, alot of people prefer to isolate themselves inorder not to make it affect people around them.
ReplyDelete"But ori bibe ko ni Ogun ori fifo"
Everyone passing through life difficulty needs to know that "anus" is very tight and stinks but hair still grow and survive in that part of the body.